How To: Get Upgraded

Be a nuisance

While nobody likes a complainer, there is a way to go about it that won’t leave you completely blacklisted by company staff. After all, the customer is always right — and without customers, there’s no business. If it’s a first-class seat you’re after, look around yourself in coach: Is your seat uncomfortable, or are you next to a fellow passenger who smells bad or requires one-and-a-half seats because they’ve eaten one too many Big Macs? Politely and discreetly bring it to the attention of the flight attendant, and leave it with her. She’ll either tell you straight away that there’s nothing she can do as there are no other seats available (highly likely) or you may be in luck, and she’ll tell you that there happens to be a seat up front you can take. However, you must be realistic in this situation — she might just move you to another seat in coach.

If it’s a better hotel room you’re after, make the effort to go down to reception to complain — nobody likes a lazy lump who complains on the phone. Once again, politely and discreetly tell the staff at the reception desk that you’re not entirely satisfied with your room; perhaps it has a “weird, musty smell that you can’t quite put your finger on,” or perhaps your view is of a brick wall instead of the ocean or city skyline? The staff will more than likely check the availability on their computer and move you to a room they know will be an improvement on your current one. Whether that room is the penthouse suite you’ve been vying for is another story, but an upgrade is an upgrade. If none your gentle complaining doesn’t work, then be persistent. The more needling and disruptive you are to their process — without being impolite or rude, of course — the more they will want to get you out of the way so they can continue with other customers. Be more specific when requesting an upgrade; you could say something along the lines of, “Is there a seat up front? It didn’t look very busy when I walked through…” or “How about room 106 — I noticed that was empty from across the hall?” If it’s late and he or she is tired, then they may just give it to you. After all, a luxury seat or suite doesn’t cost more money to clean than an average room, so what’s the point of leaving it to sit empty?

the bottom line

Ultimately, the best way to get an upgrade is to put your money where your mouth is and pay for it. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, which is why we must rely on our wits and other people skills to get all the pleasures of an upgrade without breaking the bank. However, you must be realistic; on a plane packed with 300 or so other travelers, and in a hotel with dozens of rooms, the chances that you’ll be the chosen one and get upgraded are slim. But, by the same token, somebody has to get the upgrade, and why shouldn’t that be you? In some cases, you may have to fork out a supplement, but it will still be a fraction of the full cost, so sometimes it’s worth it (particularly if it’s a long-haul flight or if your current hotel room has a family of cockroaches living in the bathtub). Remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t receive.